Pop out a ledge. You don’t have to go large to get a hardworking breakfast bar. Not only is this mini peninsula big enough for two bar stools, it also has a cabinet and shelves for extra storage. This end-of-counter surface even helps separate the kitchen from the adjacent living space.

Brick one way to warm up a kitchen, whether left as is or painted to match the rest of the design scheme. Like stone, brick can be harder to clean, but can be maintained pretty easily if sealed properly and cleaned on a regular basis.